Tai Chi Glossary
This glossary contains Chinese terms, pronunciation, and characters used throughout the Tai Chi Knowledge Base. Terms are organized by category for quick reference.
The 10 Essentials {#10-essentials}
The original Chinese names for Yang Chengfu's 10 Essentials, with pronunciation and character breakdown.
| English |
Pinyin |
Wade-Giles |
Characters |
Literal Meaning |
| 1. Empty, Nimble, and Alert |
Xū Líng Dǐng Jìn |
Hsu Ling Ting Chin |
虛靈頂勁 |
"Empty spirit reaches the crown" |
| 2. Contain the Chest, Raise the Back |
Hán Xiōng Bá Bèi |
Han Hsiung Pa Pei |
含胸拔背 |
"Hold chest, pull up back" |
| 3. Relax the Waist |
Sōng Yāo |
Sung Yao |
松腰 |
"Loosen the waist" |
| 4. Distinguish Substantial and Insubstantial |
Fēn Qīng Xū Shí |
Fen Ching Hsu Shih |
分清虛實 |
"Separate clear empty-full" |
| 5. Sink Shoulders, Drop Elbows |
Chén Jiān Zhuì Zhǒu |
Ch'en Chien Chui Chou |
沉肩墜肘 |
"Sink shoulders, drop elbows" |
| 6. Use Intent, Not Force |
Yòng Yì Bù Yòng Lì |
Yung I Pu Yung Li |
用意不用力 |
"Use mind, not strength" |
| 7. Coordinate Upper and Lower |
Shàng Xià Xiāng Suí |
Shang Hsia Hsiang Sui |
上下相隨 |
"Above-below follow each other" |
| 8. Internal and External United |
Nèi Wài Xiāng Hé |
Nei Wai Hsiang Ho |
內外相合 |
"Inside-outside unite together" |
| 9. Continuous, Unbroken |
Xiāng Lián Bù Duàn |
Hsiang Lien Pu Tuan |
相連不斷 |
"Connected without breaking" |
| 10. Seek Stillness in Movement |
Dòng Zhōng Qiú Jìng |
Tung Chung Ch'iu Ching |
動中求靜 |
"In motion seek stillness" |
Notes on the 10 Essentials (十要 - Shí Yào)
- 十要 (Shí Yào): literally "Ten Requirements" or "Ten Essentials"
- Codified by Yang Chengfu (楊澄甫, 1883-1936)
- Third-generation master of Yang-style Tai Chi
- These principles distinguish internal martial arts from external styles
Core Concepts
Energy and Body
| Term |
Pinyin |
Characters |
Meaning |
| Qi / Chi |
Qì |
氣 |
Vital energy, life force |
| Dantian |
Dān Tián |
丹田 |
"Elixir field" - energy center below navel |
| Jing |
Jīng |
精 |
Essence, foundational energy |
| Shen |
Shén |
神 |
Spirit, consciousness |
| Bai Hui |
Bǎi Huì |
百會 |
"Hundred Meetings" - crown point at top of head |
| Yong Quan |
Yǒng Quán |
湧泉 |
"Bubbling Spring" - kidney point on sole of foot |
Movement Principles
| Term |
Pinyin |
Characters |
Meaning |
| Wu Wei |
Wú Wéi |
無為 |
Non-action, effortless action |
| Yin-Yang |
Yīn Yáng |
陰陽 |
Complementary opposites |
| Song |
Sōng |
鬆 |
Relaxed alertness, loose but not limp |
| Peng |
Péng |
掤 |
Ward-off energy, expansive force |
| Lu |
Lǚ |
履 |
Roll-back, yielding energy |
| Ji |
Jǐ |
擠 |
Press, squeezing energy |
| An |
Àn |
按 |
Push, downward energy |
Stances and Positions
| Term |
Pinyin |
Characters |
Meaning |
| Wuji |
Wú Jí |
無極 |
"Without extremity" - neutral standing posture |
| Tai Chi |
Tài Jí |
太極 |
"Supreme ultimate" - the state of yin-yang differentiation |
| Ma Bu |
Mǎ Bù |
馬步 |
Horse stance |
| Gong Bu |
Gōng Bù |
弓步 |
Bow stance |
| Xu Bu |
Xū Bù |
虛步 |
Empty stance |
Tai Chi Styles
| Style |
Chinese |
Characters |
Founder |
Era |
| Chen |
Chén |
陳 |
Chen Wangting |
17th century |
| Yang |
Yáng |
楊 |
Yang Luchan |
19th century |
| Wu (Hao) |
Wǔ (Hào) |
武 (郝) |
Wu Yuxiang |
19th century |
| Wu |
Wú |
吳 |
Wu Jianquan |
20th century |
| Sun |
Sūn |
孫 |
Sun Lutang |
20th century |
Classical Texts
| Text |
Chinese |
Author |
Period |
| Tai Chi Classics |
太極拳經 |
Multiple authors |
Qing Dynasty |
| Treatise on Tai Chi Chuan |
太極拳論 |
Wang Zongyue |
18th century |
| The Song of Thirteen Postures |
十三勢歌 |
Unknown |
Traditional |
| Yang Chengfu's Ten Essentials |
楊澄甫十要 |
Yang Chengfu |
1930s |
Practice Terms
| Term |
Pinyin |
Characters |
Meaning |
| Tai Chi Chuan |
Tài Jí Quán |
太極拳 |
"Supreme Ultimate Fist" - Tai Chi boxing |
| Qigong |
Qì Gōng |
氣功 |
"Energy work" - breathing and movement practice |
| Form |
Quán |
拳 |
The sequence of movements (literally "fist") |
| Push Hands |
Tuī Shǒu |
推手 |
Partner sensitivity exercise |
| Standing Meditation |
Zhàn Zhuāng |
站樁 |
"Standing like a post" - static qigong |
| Silk Reeling |
Chán Sī Gōng |
纏絲功 |
Spiral energy exercises (Chen style) |
Pronunciation Guide
Pinyin Basics
- Q = sounds like "ch" (but sharper): qi ≈ "chee"
- X = sounds like "sh" (but softer): xi ≈ "shee"
- Zh = sounds like "j" in "judge": zhang ≈ "jahng"
- C = sounds like "ts": cai ≈ "tsai"
- Z = sounds like "dz": zai ≈ "dzai"
- Ü = like German "ü" or French "u": lü (pursed lips, say "ee")
Tone Marks
- First tone (ā): high, level tone
- Second tone (á): rising tone (like asking a question)
- Third tone (ǎ): low, dipping tone
- Fourth tone (à): falling, sharp tone (like a command)
- Neutral tone (a): light, quick tone
How to Use This Glossary
- When reading articles: Click on glossary links to understand terms in context
- For practice: Use pronunciation guide to learn correct pronunciation
- For teaching: Reference character meanings to explain concepts deeply
- For research: Cross-reference classical texts and historical sources
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